Pope Benedict XVI was a moral and religious leader, but there's also a fiscal side to his legacy: He endorsed several positions that could affect the personal finances of millions of people. Here are five ways his papacy may impact our lives and pocketbooks.

Deficit spending got just a single mention in President Obama's inaugural address. But the outcome of the the long-running conflict with Republicans over his tax-and-spend policies will help shape the government's role in coming years, not to mention Obama's legacy.

A German newspaper reports the country's central bank will repatriate parts of its massive gold reserves worth about $200 billion at current market rates from storage sites in the United States and in France.

After two dramatic debates, in a tight race, we have come to this -- one final showdown that may decide who becomes the next president. In theory, it'll all be about foreign policy. In reality, it's about something much bigger. It's about leadership and decision-making ... and, as always, the economy.

The United States' ability to compete on the global stage has fallen for the fourth year running as confidence in the country's politicians continues to decline, an annual survey from the World Economic Forum revealed Wednesday.

Unemployment in the 17-country euro currency bloc hit another record high in May -- 11.1% -- as the crippling financial crisis pushed the continent toward the brink of recession, official figures showed Monday.

Sunday's elections in France and Greece were a firm vote against austerity, and that means the future of the eurozone is again in doubt. Here's why the bond markets care so much -- and why you should, too.

Two weeks ago, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il died and his son, Kim Jong-Un, took power. South Korea's stocks and currency fell sharply on the news -- which creates opportunities for long-term investors.

Buddhism is all about renunciation: To achieve nirvana, the Buddha teaches, one must crush desire. But one exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader -- the Karmapa Lama -- allegedly had an undeclared $1.35 million cash stash at his monastery in northern India.

Conceding a fragile global recovery and plodding job growth back home, President Barack Obama said Friday he is confident European leaders are fixing their ominous debt crisis that threatens to undermine the United States and his own shot at a second term.